Outemu Crystal vs. Keygeek Keygeek Raw
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Crystal and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw mechanical keyboard switches, some distinct differences emerge. The Crystal switch provides a unique linear typing experience with its elastic feel and medium-light weight, resulting in a neutral sound profile while typing. On the other hand, the Keygeek Raw switch stands out for its material blend of Nylon, UMPE, and Silicon, crafting a delightfully creamy yet lightweight switch with a slightly textured feel right out of the box. While the Crystal switch offers a chirpy and high-pitched typing experience, the Keygeek Raw switch provides a more textured and subtle feel. Both switches have their own merits, but diving deeper into the specifics will help you choose the best switch for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
57.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon & UPE blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
UMPE & Si blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Crystal and Keygeek Raw switches both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles and overall performance. The Crystal utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, resulting in a clear and resonant sound profile. In contrast, the Keygeek Raw switches feature a Nylon & UPE blend top housing, exclusive to the Keygeek Raw line. While both materials offer distinct benefits, such as translucency for RGB lighting with polycarbonate and exclusivity with the Keygeek Raw blend, they ultimately provide different sound profiles and aesthetics.
In terms of bottom housings, the Outemu Crystal features a polycarbonate bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This ensures consistency in sound profile and feel throughout the switch's operation. On the other hand, the Keygeek Raw switches boast a UMPE & Si blend bottom housing, again exclusive to the Keygeek Raw line. While both materials contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch, the Keygeek Raw blend offers a unique experience that sets it apart from other switches on the market. Whether it's the impact on bottom-out sound and feel or the sound when letting go of a key, the bottom and top housing materials play a crucial role in users' overall typing experience.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Crystal and Keygeek Raw switches ultimately comes down to personal preference and desired sound profile. While the Crystal's polycarbonate housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, the Keygeek Raw switches provide an exclusive blend that caters to a different user experience. Both switches benefit from their unique housing materials, with the polycarbonate providing consistency and clarity, and the Keygeek Raw blend offering exclusivity and a distinct typing experience. Whether it's the top or bottom housing, these materials play a vital role in determining the overall feel and sound of a switch, making them essential considerations for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch, it is evident that the Crystal has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Keygeek Raw's unknown actuation force. However, when looking at the bottom out force, the Crystal requires 55 grams while the Keygeek Raw has a bottom out force of 57.5 grams. This makes the Keygeek Raw slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force. Both switches fall under the category of medium-weight switches, with the Crystal being slightly lighter in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces. Those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions may lean towards the Crystal, while those who prefer a slightly stronger push may opt for the Keygeek Raw. Ultimately, both switches offer a medium typing experience with slight differences in force requirements.
Travel distance
The Outemu Crystal linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This makes the Keygeek Raw the shorter of the two switches, providing a quicker response time for gamers looking for fast keystrokes. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may be preferred by users who enjoy a deeper, more substantial key press. Both switches provide a different typing experience based on their travel distances, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, it's worth noting that both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, so you can expect similar results in terms of overall feel and performance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Keygeek Keygeek Raw has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Keygeek Raw for $3.51.
The Outemu Crystal comes in at $3.40 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Crystal linear switch offers a chirpy and high-pitched sound profile, adding a unique and distinctive element to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch provides a neutral sound profile, making it a versatile option suitable for most users and environments. The sound produced by both switches can be further influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Crystal switch is known for its polished finish, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Keygeek Keygeek Raw switch provides a textured feel out of the box, catering to users who enjoy a slightly scratchy sensation when typing. Additionally, the Keygeek Raw switch is described as mild and subtle, striking a balance between comfort and responsiveness.
Overall, the Outemu Crystal and Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switches each bring their own unique qualities to the table. While the Crystal switch offers a more elastic and medium-light typing experience with a chirpy sound profile, the Keygeek Raw switch stands out for its creamy and lightweight feel, along with a neutral sound profile. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that you'll get similar results in terms of performance and customization options.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a medium-light bottom out force with a unique linear feel and a neutral sound profile, the Outemu Crystal switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a delightfully creamy yet unexpectedly lightweight switch with a slightly textured feel straight out of the box, the Keygeek Keygeek Raw switch might be more suitable. Both switches offer different sound profiles and overall typing experiences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what qualities you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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